The 2006 Barbera d’Alba Morassina is a gorgeous, plump wine loaded with perfumed dark fruit, tar and licorice. This is an especially round, generous and utterly harmonious Barbera. Cortese gives the Morassina 18 months in French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014. This is easily the finest and most consistent set of wines I have ever tasted from Cortese, particularly among the entry-level bottlings, where in the past quality has been irregular. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Blackberry and plum aromas lead to a full body, with a firm palate and dark chocolate, dried berry aftertaste. A little hard, but delicious. Drink now. 350 cases made, 40 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add